Sentencing delayed for Northbridge couple convicted of child rape

The sentencing of a Northbridge couple found guilty of raping their two adopted children, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been pushed back to Sept.23.

By Lindsay Corcoran/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

By Lindsay Corcoran/Daily News staff

Posted Aug. 23, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 23, 2013 at 11:04 PM

By Lindsay Corcoran/Daily News staff

Posted Aug. 23, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 23, 2013 at 11:04 PM

WORCESTER

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The sentencing of a Northbridge couple found guilty of raping their two adopted children, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been pushed back to Sept.23.

Joseph Mayotte, 50, and Linda Mayotte, 49, both of 67 Laura Lane, were each found guilty on multiple counts of sexual abuse, he for charges involving their adopted daughter, she for charges involving their adopted son, earlier this month after a two-week trial in Worcester Superior Court.

A spokesman for Worcester District Attorney’s office said he did not know the cause of the delay in sentencing.

On Aug. 8, Joseph Mayotte was found guilty on 11 counts relating to his abuse of the couple’s adopted daughter that started when she was 8 years old and lasted for nearly five years. Linda Mayotte was found guilty on 18 counts relating to the abuse of their adopted son from when he was 13 through 15.

Both were acquitted on the “joint venture” charges that each knew of the other's crimes and aided in their commission.

The couple adopted the children from Kazakhstan in 2004 and were both arrested in 2009 after the male victim reported his abuse to the police for the first time. In 2007, the female victim reported the abuse to friends, but recanted before telling the police again in 2009.

The charges include multiple counts of statutory rape of a child, indecent assault on a child and incest, among others. The child rape charge carries a potential sentence of life and a minimum of 10 years in prison.

Joseph Mayotte was taken into custody following the reading of the verdict, but Linda Mayotte was absent from the court during her sentencing due to what a source familiar with the couple said was an apparent suicide attempt that had sent her to the hospital the night before.

Linda Mayotte’s bail was revoked at sentencing and a spokesman for the District Attorney’s office said she is in custody.

Contact Lindsay Corcoran at 508-634-7582 or lcorcoran@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @LacorcMDN.